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Ajmer shrine receives $1m donation pledged by Zardari
The donation had been announced by Zardari during his visit to the shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty in April.
The donation was announced by President Zardari during his visit to the shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
NEW DEHLI: Pakistan’s High Commissioner Salman Bashir on Friday, on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari and the Government and people of Pakistan, presented a cheque of $1 million as donation for Ajmer Sharif’s shrine.
The donation was announced by President Zardari during his visit to the shrine of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishty at Ajmer in April this year.
The donation will be utilized for development and welfare projects, upkeep and maintenance of the shrine and provision of services for the pilgrim by duly established committees and associations.
The presidents and office bearers of the associations and the committees expressed their deep appreciation and profound gratitude to the president and the people of Pakistan for the generous donation and assured the high commissioner that it would be utilised for development work and improving services and facilities at the shrine.
Besides members of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, the collector Ajmer and senior officials of Ajmer Administration attended the presentation ceremony.
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Reader Comments (73)
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itssss okkkay let the ppl die of hungerr in pakistan while he donates 1m in india..well who knws whts behind d $1 million scene .Recommend
This is crazy! I am saddened that our president can donate such an amount on behalf of the Pakistani people – does he not know that people are starving and dying in Pakistan!
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So that $1m obviously couldnt be put to use to generate more electricity in Pakistan right??? The shrine will help with that issue! Who is he to give our money away like this?
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I am speechless! Would have made sense had it been some developed or economically stable country but look at our condition and then look at this Hatim Tai.
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True and ugly face of PPP.Recommend
Well, at least he was nice enough to not attach Be-Nazir’s name to this ;-)
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For me the problem is not giving aid to India or any other country. But the responsibility they have towards Pakistan as a government. The fact they we practically run our country on foreign aid it seems ironic and nonsensical for us to give aid to someone else.
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Considering the non stop, top of the roof shouting by Pakistanis about India’s poverty, starving population etc, I consider this is a gift from the Rich Pakistan to alleviate India’s troubles.
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Its a shame reading the comments above..
For god’s sake people, learn to appreciate “SOMETHING”.
$1m gone for the upkeep of a religious place that has been around for many hundreds of years and spreads the message of harmony and peace.
Get out of your ‘holier than thou’ glass houses..! No wonder Pakistan is where it is due to the thought process of majority of its masses.
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Zardari should stand for elections from India not Pakistan
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Where is mirza and other ppp spokespersons? What wd they say about it? One million dollar is alot of money for this poor nation. Has zardari ever been so generous with his own money? Allah will ask these leaders very soon inshaAllah. Allah ke haan andher nahee.
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thanks zardari u’ll be remembered for this… i wish u donate more next time ..:)
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Thanks to the Pakistani Premier, this will go a long way in alleviating poverty in our country. This also proves Afridi right, Pakistanis do have large heartsRecommend
Is this $ 1m. part of the funds received from US for expenses towards war on terror?
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Thank You. When are you coming back Sir?
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To Haris:
islam does not teach us to ruin and looting and starving a country while donating peoples money to elsewere. i think without 1million dollars the shrine get to be maintained anyway. Elcay: the money is probably from the CSF so actually its peanuts which he is donating.Recommend
My father is used to donate money [a tiny tiny amount] to the dargah, but after his death it’s not happening. I had visited the place once and they had taken my address in India. But now dad is no more and the holy men have stopped visiting my humble abode to ask for money.
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How nice of Zardari to take our money without our asking and give it as Sadqa. Now every taxpayer will receive sawab
Only in Pakistan
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@Vikas.. If he will go back to India, please keep him with you. Pakistanis will pay you another 1m $
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This time we are sure ISI is not involved. Long live the premier.
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great work ! All the Indians were upset when committee member were protesting for delay in release of 1 million dollar. They staged a sit in outside pak embassy to release the fund.!
The saud family must not be happy with funding Sufism in this region .
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Go on people, vote for PPP again, as you did in 2008!!
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Pakistan should adopt a country like Sudan for five years and ensure food program and show the world the essence of Islam. Pakistani are damn rich nation and I can prove it
Highest capita intake of dairy products 154kg whereas indian dairy consumption is on 55kg.
Pakistani wheat consumption per capita is 119kg whereas Indian consumption is only 74kg.
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That money could’ve kept a 1000 children in school for at least 10 yrs.with food clothing & shelter.
Money truly wasted…
Reminds me of the 2004 Tsunami…when Saudi Arabia donated 10 million dollars to rehabilitate 200,000 people affected by the disaster… But more than a 100 million dollars for families of suicide bombers in Palestine.
What a waste.
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From his 01 billion + assets or from governemment tresury?
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If Kayani had done it people would have applauded him. Just double standards really.
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India should donate 2 million dollars to some temple in Hyderabad, Sindh. Let us see, they got a big heart.Recommend
The premier if and when he thinks of retiring [hope he continues forever], please retire in India. We shall make sure that you feel at home, Sir!
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@KhuRram Kaleem:
Dont worry about that dude. I lived in Saudi Arabia for 10 yrs. The Saud family has a big heart. Remember King Abdullah once said ‘ India is my second home’.
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@Salman:
Whats the use, dude. Hindus are coming to India anyway. They will disappear in the next 20 years or so from Pakistan. Who will use that Temple when they are gone.
From 22% in 1951 to under 2% in 65 years. Do the math.Recommend
PPP is failed in all aspects…where is energy ?? when the thar project is goona produce energy ..when the civilians else the government servants will get benefits ??? PPP is the party of government servants..done nothing for civilians..i wish the lower mentality people in pakistan will learn a lesson specially in sindh ..and will never give their precious vote to their PEER ND MURSHIDS….
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Thanks Mr Zardari – may your wishes be fulfilled.
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@Salman: India is ruled by corrupt politicians and mafia. Most of the common folk live hand to mouth. This donation by Mr Zardari will go down in history as a great gesture. Hope the Indian politicos learn something from this. Hope they dont try to block the donation. They wont I’m sure. Who will mess up with the Premier!
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If it didn’t come out of his pocket, they’re thanking the wrong people. A million dollars may sound like a low number due to most of the money issues and aid ranking in the billions. But, it simply isn’t. That’s a huge amount to most of the planet’s average citizens. The shrine probably would have responded similarly to a few thousand. I’m sure the shrine is thankful and will find uses for it. That action isn’t a bad thing in and of itself. But, considering the financial situation… It’s like spitting in the face of aid donors and Pakistan’s own citizens. That is far from good intentioned pocket change. People should be wondering who just got a $1 million dollar budget cut. It had to come from somewhere.
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@Maher:
Ha Ha !! Nice one !!
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AAZ visit to Ajmeer Shareef was on personal basis & not included as state visit, so the donation shud hv been from his own pocket….this $ 1 million cud hv been distributed to our own numerous charities for the benefit of our poor people…if this $ 1 million cud hv been given from our state fund ( tax payers money ) why was Rs 130 million not given for release of our stranded crews…which was given by Mr Riyaz Malik on the request of the President only…while this drama was already on for a longtime & seem Mr Riaz Malik was waiting request from the President & earn false kudos ( only Allah swt knows best )…..Recommend
@Haris Chaudhry:
Its not zardaris business to donate to shrines on our behalf.
First,its not HIS money,how can you donate someone else’s money?(though his “own”money too isnt his money)
Also,donating to a shrine when millions are suffering in our own country doesnt make much sense.
Nobody would be objecting had he donated this money to some orphanage,free hospital etc
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It is totally uncalled for from a Head of State. How can he donate public money for religious groups which is supposedly meant for the development and welfare of the downtrodden..
If he want to donate, can do from his own earnings..
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Haris Chaudhary: I don’t know which world are you living or if you are living in Pakistan than you don’t have worry about your survival like Zardaris, sharifs, maliks and so on. Because a normal Pakistani who finds it difficult to meet his/her ends in the current condition wouldn’t appreciate this.
“No wonder Pakistan is where it is due to the thought process of majority of its masses”, well said, this perfectly fits on people like you.
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Charity should start from home. Please refer to verses of Surah Baqarah, where exact order of charity is described. I don’t mind if USD 1 million is made in India, but I do mind if it is coming from the pockets of Pakistanis without their approval, while they famish. I pity Pakistanis. These hungry thirsty poor humans still shout “Jey Bhutto”. I pity this nation who is killing itself.
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@Dr Priyanka:
Are you sure you mean everything you write… Sounds like you are paid to comment.
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@BruteForce:
why would kayani donate $1 Mln to India? r u nuts?
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@Dr Priyanka:
Ha ha ha … will Indians have the heart to thank Pakistan?
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President Zardari is a very smart investor. With Khawaja’s blessings, one million dollars will become hundred million and will be returned to exchequre. Unlike Imran’s speculative investment, who lost most of the donation money.
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The Darghah should make a charity contribution towards places of Ahamadi worship in Pakistan.
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The reach of the US Coalition Support Fund (CSF) is indeed far.
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Did u notice that the money arrived only after the 1.1. Bn flowed fro,m Washington.
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@Haris Chaudhry:
A shrine is not a religious place. If you’re a muslim you should know that. Ever heard of the Prophet (pbuh) visiting shrines?
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@KhuRram Kaleem: Give us some more sir…. As you know from this data we are poor and starving
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If it is his personal money, I do not care but if it is from public Exchequer, then there lot of questions to be answered.
Presence of High Commission staff at such a ceremony? Have they read the full text of their service Manuel and understand their responsibilities?
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This has got nothing to do with Islam! In fact such shrines are forbidden in Islam!!!
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People are also dying in India of hunger. Pakistanis, sometimes, its better to think globally, rather than bragging all the time.Recommend
@BruteForce:
But funds will be required to maintain those temples for next 20 years atleast so common let us know you guys have big heart or not. Isn’t it Miss Priyanka Chopra ?
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@Salman:
Wouldn’t that money be better spent on rehabilitating the Hindu refugees running away from Pakistan into India?
I am getting a feeling you are immune to sarcasm.
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Who’s money was it? a complete waste of tax payer money.Recommend
Most commentators seem t lose the point. Its not the amount or its alternative uses IN PAKISTAN. There is a simple principle of accountability. Presidents cannot treat public money as their own and give generous donations. There is a process involved. India offered $5 million for our floods …it was not a gift from Manmohan Singh. But their Cabinet sat and decided that it was in the National interest to donate to a neighbor country. Pakistan has always been manged as a fiefdom!
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@maher, no need of $1mn …Rahul Gandhi is exchange offer:)
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Well, Mr Zardari prayed to Khwaja Chisti and gave money in his name. I think when a person donates money to god, demi-god it is from his own pocket.
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@Dr Reddy: I mean everything I say ..!Recommend
easy come easy go.
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@Dr Priyanka:Do you think india need aid from saudi or any other country to feed its own people.Just control you word.Have you any idea,you r talking about asias third largest economy. how on the earth you started comparing india with sudan or pakistan.India never take inspiration from the gulf countries for development.Rather west is better choice.And these corrupt politicians r our elected one and they have earned enough through legal or illegal means.Fund given to dargah is just pea nuts and every body started making hue and cry.For that matter even i have enough capability to donate more than 1 million dollar.So my suggestion will be ,just keep your mind at exact place while putting your word.And Et just post my comment.I m very serious right now.Recommend
the money was NOT given to India..but to a muslim shrine.
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Does he have unlimited powers to dole out tax payers money so ruthlessly. CJP should take notice or for that matter any Pakistani having means should file a writ in SCP to have this amount recovered from this man.This was our money not his personal property & since when the state has started sponsoring private visits of this nature.He also went to UK to attend his daughter’s graduation at our expense,this money should also be recovered from him.
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@Shanawar Hashmi ..Buddy.. Any place where you offer prayer is a religious place. You dont have to be muslim to understand this. Recommend
.MR. President what about those who are dying of hunger..Recommend
Doesn’t he know that the charity begins at home, I hope this money is from his personal state and is not donated from the tax payers of Pakistan? Recommend
@Haris Chaudhry:
he could have infact SHOULD have dont this holy-work from his own big pocket instead of Public’s money….. no wonder why some people are ‘defender then thou’ !
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Hmmm money for shrines , dargahs , ist contradictory to islam , 2ndly if humans alive dont have money to buy bread then what the purpose of extravagances and shrine making ?
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Who am I to say? It’s his money. Oh wait, it’s NOT. :D
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Usman Haider
This money is not aid to India. It has been given by a muslim to a muslim holy place for use by the recepient. It does not help India in any way.
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Pakistani trolls do not know what Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has done for his native village GAH in Pakistan.
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http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/12233/why-is-manmohan-singhs-village-better-than-mine/
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All this hate between Pakistanis and Indians is insane. They easily get along overseas but act foolishly at home because they have only heard stories about Hindus being dirty or Muslims being selfish- the fact is that all this nonsense creates hate for no reason. Majority of the Hindus and Muslims are good people who want to lead a good life. Hate eats you from inside out so the only person you are destroying is yourself. Stop hating people- god is not going to throw 80% of the world’s population if they did good deeds but believe in a different god.
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@Dr Priyanka:
If only people were rational….
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